Holistic Pediatricians
Welcome to our Holistic Pediatricians category page, where we celebrate a whole-child approach to healthcare. These blog posts are dedicated to exploring how holistic pediatrics integrates mind, body, and spirit to support your child’s growth and development in every way.
Holistic pediatric care goes beyond addressing symptoms—it’s about understanding your child as a unique individual and providing personalized care that promotes their overall well-being. From nutrition and preventative care to emotional health and natural remedies, this category offers insights into how holistic care can nurture your child’s health and happiness. Dive into these posts to learn more about how a holistic approach can make a difference for your family.
Dr. Chheda – Most people think middle school is all about academics, but that’s not the main goal!
🧠 Middle school is about learning executive functioning skills.
These are essential life skills like:
✅ Time management
✅ Turning in homework on time
✅ Studying ahead instead of cramming
✅ Showing up on time
Middle school is the perfect time to help kids develop a system that works for them:
📅 Using a planner or agenda
📝 Writing things down
📊 Color coding
📲 Using an online calendar Your child needs these skills before high school—because that’s when it really counts!
Saying ‘No’ is Important!
🚫 Children need to hear and understand the word ‘no’—and more importantly, they need to know why they’re hearing it.
🗣️ What happens when kids hear ‘no’?
✅ They learn about consequences
✅ They understand boundaries
✅ They develop resilience As kids grow, they will face rejection and negative criticism—and they need to know how to handle it positively.
💡 Real-life lesson:
Dr. Mona’s daughter recently worked on an Eagle Scout project, collecting donations for families in need. She approached seven grocery stores for permission to set up a donation table. Five of them said no.
Instead of getting discouraged, she accepted it and moved forward. Because ‘no’ is okay!
Teaching kids to accept ‘no’ helps them build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
Dr. Chheda – Babies control their appetite by volume. When you feed your baby milk and their stomach is full, they will stop eating. They will close their mouth, and you won’t be able to get anything else in them— and that’s perfectly fine!
🍼 Newborns only need breast milk or formula.
🚫 Giving them anything else, such as water or sugar water, fills up their stomach without providing calories or nutrition. This can be unhealthy because:
❌ Water has no calories.
❌ Water has no nutrition.
✅ Breast milk and formula already have the hydration babies need! After 6 months, babies can start drinking small amounts of water. You can always consult your pediatrician when introducing it. For the first 4 months—ONLY milk!
👦 Kid: Dr. Chheda, what does one hour of playing video games do to my brain versus reading for an hour?
👩⚕️ Dr. Chheda: That’s a great question! A lot of kids play video games, and the effects depend on the type of game.
🎮 Video Games:
Can be interactive
Multiplayer games encourage social interaction
Improve reflexes and eye coordination
BUT they can be addictive, making you want to play repeatedly
📖 Reading:
Engages your brain deeply
Expands vocabulary
Boosts intelligence
More of a solitary activity
Both have pros and cons, but reading helps you become more intelligent!
Keep reading to grow your brain! 🧠✨
Dr. Chheda – A compassionate look at why teens might resist personal care:
Body changes and self-consciousness
Common hygiene resistance patterns
Why forcing habits often backfires
Natural motivation development
Tips for patient parenting
A candid discussion about balancing video games with other family activities:
Why daily gaming isn’t recommended
Setting weekend limits
Creative alternatives for family bonding
Making screen time meaningful
Dr. Chheda – Learn about an evidence-based approach to creating a nurturing environment for your toddler. The Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) helps parents:
Understand their child’s needs
Create positive environments
Implement effective discipline
Build stronger parent-child connections
Visit: TripleP.net
Dr. Chheda shares vital guidance about creating a support system for your pre-teen:
Why kids need another trusted adult besides parents
How to choose the right mentor
Understanding confidentiality
Building a community of support
A candid conversation about the link between technology and rising anxiety in children, featuring insights from “The Anxious Generation” and practical recommendations for parents:
The 2012 iPhone correlation
Age recommendations for smartphones and social media
The importance of unsupervised play
School phone policies
Dr. Chheda – A crucial parenting guide about protecting your newborn during their most vulnerable period:
– Why the first 2 months are critical for immune system development
– Safe activities vs. activities to avoid
– Guidelines for visitors and travel
– Tips for new parent self-care